Open DOCX File

Open DOCX in Word 2003

DOCX is the new format which Microsoft Word 2007 uses to store document. DOCX replaced the well-known DOC file format which was used with Microsoft Word 2003 and prior versions.. Before the Office Starting with Office 2007, Word uses the XML-based DOCX file format by default. Compared to DOC, a DOCX file is a kind of compressed folder where most XML files are stored with the different components of the DOCX document.

If you use an old version of Word, you will not be able to open DOCX files directly, but you will have to convert DOCX to DOC or install new programs to be able to read DOCX. The simplest thing is to install the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats, an add-in for Microsoft Office 2000, Office XP and Office 2003 that allows you to open, edit and save DOCX (Word) format files However, it is important to note that this add-on is no longer support by Microsoft and therefore is no longer officially available.

Given the above, it is not necessary to purchase a new version of Word to open an DOCX file. There are also free alternatives: Microsoft itself offers Word online as a solution that can be used directly in the browser. Also it is possible to use the countless plugins for web browsers and services, both free and paid, that offers editing and viewing online softwares.

The procedure is similar in almost all services:

• Upload the file
• Edit (If applicable)
• Save Changes
• Download the final file

Also third-party programs can open DOCX files and convert them to DOC files. For example, the free source program LibreOffice is compatible with current Microsoft Office file extensions.

All new Microsoft Word versions can still save a file in the old DOC format. To do this, you must use the option "Save as" and, in "Type of file", select the option "Word 97-2003 (* .doc)". In this way, all Word versions since 1997 can open this file. However, some functions in the DOCX file may no longer be available in the DOC file or the format appears changed. Therefore, it is recommended to use this option only if it is known that the recipient of the file does not have a current version of Word.

In conclusion, the DOC format is becoming obsolete, so to speak, as the chances of opening them without problems are less and less.